The Phoenix Suns did more than keep their heads above water for the last month without Chris Paul, they went 9-5 with a +5.9 net rating that was fourth best in the NBA over that stretch.
That doesn’t mean they are better off without him, and on Wednesday night against the Celtics he is planning to make his return, something Monty Williams hinted at and Chris Haynes of TNT/Bleacher Report confirmed.
Pheonix Suns star Chris Paul - barring a setback - intends to make his return tonight against the Boston Celtics after being sidelined for a month with heel injury, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 7, 2022
Paul, 37, had seen his performance slip a little in the 10 games he did play before going out with his heel injury, averaging 9.5 points and 9.4 assists a game but on 36.8% shooting. Rested and healthy, the Suns are hoping to see those numbers rebound closer to what he did in previous years.
CP3 remains one of the best floor generals and high IQ players in the league, and with Devin Booker forms one of the more formidable backcourts in the NBA. While the Suns are 16-8 and sit atop the West, they are not making a deep playoff run and returning to the NBA Finals (as they did two seasons ago) without Paul.